Pasta with Pesto and Shrimp

Pasta with pesto and shrimp is a tasty dish that combines the freshness of basil with the sweetness of shrimp. Here’s how to prepare this delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 320 g of pasta of your choice (linguine or trofie are very suitable)
• 200 g of shelled and cleaned shrimp
• 1 jar of Genovese pesto (about 100-150 g) or homemade pesto
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• Salt
• Pepper (optional)
• A few fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the package instructions to get an al dente texture.
2. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat some extra virgin olive oil with a clove of garlic.
3. Add the shrimp and sauté over high heat for a few minutes until they turn pink and are slightly golden. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Remove the garlic clove from the pan and add the Genovese pesto. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little pasta cooking water to thin it.
5. Drain the al dente pasta and transfer it to the pan with the pesto and shrimp.
6. Sauté the pasta, shrimp, and pesto together for a couple of minutes so that the flavors blend well.
7. Serve immediately, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and, if you like, a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese.

Curiosity

Genovese pesto is a traditional sauce of the Ligurian cuisine made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan (or pecorino), extra virgin olive oil, and salt. It is famous all over the world and is commonly served with pasta, but it can also be used as a dressing for meats and fish or enjoyed with simple bread.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and wish you bon appétit!